Body Mass Index a Potential Risk Factor Following Gender Reassignment Surgeries: A Systematic Review and...

This review aims to explore the intersection of two significant and timely medical topics: obesity and gender-affirming surgeries. It seeks to determine whether obesity is associated with a higher complication rate in patients undergoing various types of these surgeries.

A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar to identify studies meeting the inclusion criteria for this review. Postoperative outcomes were the primary focus, with data analyzed to compare complication rates between patient groups.

The first meta-analysis, which compared complication rates based on different BMI ranges, revealed a statistically significant relationship between obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and increased postoperative complications. Specifically, obese patients experienced a higher complication rate compared to non-obese patients (BMI < 30 kg/m²). The final risk ratio (RR) was 0.46, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 0.23 to 0.70. The second meta-analysis assessed the mean BMI of patients who experienced at least one complication versus those who had a complication-free postoperative course. The overall outcome did not differ significantly from zero, indicating no strong connection between BMI and the presence of complications. The final mean difference (MD) was 0.18, with 95% CI ranging from - 0.10 to 0.47.

BMI is a relevant factor within the broader category of surgical risk factors that medical professionals should carefully consider. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have consistently shown a higher frequency of operative complications in obese patients compared to their non-obese counterparts. Although the precise extent of BMI's influence remains uncertain, obesity should be regarded as a potential contributor to postoperative complications following gender-affirming surgeries.

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